Ford Fusion reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 18,241 complaints about the Ford Fusion with NHTSA since 2010, most often about steering and engine. Ford has filed 2 warranty extensions and 5 service campaigns for it, and there are 46 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Fusion? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Fusion a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 18,241
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 2
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 5
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 46
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Fusion with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 183 | Transmission and drivetrain (37%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 316 | Engine (48%) | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 | 442 | Engine (46%) | 2 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1,112 | Engine (36%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1,639 | Engine (27%) | 13 | 1 |
| 2015 | 994 | Engine (27%) | 13 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1,330 | Steering (25%) | 19 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1,791 | Steering (22%) | 19 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2,516 | Steering (59%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2,788 | Steering (51%) | 7 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5,130 | Steering (32%) | 11 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Fusion model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Fusion, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Ford/lincoln: There is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of ABS speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for PCM reprogramming. Model 2011-14 F-super duty, escape, taurus, fusion, mkt, mkz.
- Warranty extensionJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Information regarding extended warranty for covering accessory protocol interface module regardless of mileage. Models 2011-2013 Edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion, taurus, mks, mkt, mkz, F-150, f-super duty.
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2015
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignDec 2019· Electrical system· model years 2017–2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 19B37 Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprograming
- Service campaignOct 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016
Demonsftration/Delivery Hold - Customer Satisfaction Program 15B32 Certain 2015 Model Year F-150, MKS, and 2016 Explorer, F-Super Duty, and
- Service campaignJul 2015· Wheels· model years 2013–2015
Ford 2013-2015 Fusion vehicles: Customer satisfaction program involving 18'' gloss black physical vapor deposition wheel replacement.
- Service campaignFeb 2012· Brakes· model years 2010
On some affected vehicles, the brake system software may unnecessarily cause the regenerative brake system to transition to conventional brakes with full antilock brakes (ABS) function. Csc letter was rec'd. *pe updated 9/21/11. *pe updated 8/1/12.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Fusion model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Steering5,709 (31%)
- Engine3,195 (18%)
- Transmission and drivetrain2,844 (16%)
- Electrical system1,486 (8%)
- Airbags1,426 (8%)
- Cruise control and speed control1,049 (6%)
- Brakes1,025 (6%)
- Other or unspecified995 (5%)
Safety recalls
46 recalls cover at least one Fusion model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute…
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
And 31 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ22004Recall query· opened Aug 2022, closed Mar 2023· Brakes· model years 2013–2018
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
Led to recall 23V162000.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2012–2016
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- RQ19005Recall query· opened Dec 2019, closed Feb 2022· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013–2016
Door Latch Failures
Led to recall 20V177000.
- EA17004Engineering analysis· opened Nov 2017, closed Feb 2024· Steering· model years 2010–2012
Power Steering Failure
- PE17007Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2017, closed Apr 2018· Steering· model years 2014–2016
Steering Wheel Fastening Bolt Loosens
Led to recall 18V167000.
- PE16011Preliminary evaluation· opened Sep 2016, closed Dec 2017· Steering· model years 2010
Power Steering Failure
- EA15002Engineering analysis· opened Feb 2015, closed Nov 2015· Doors, latches and locks· model years 2013
Door Latch Failure
Led to recall 15V246000.
- PE14030Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2014, closed Sep 2015· Steering· model years 2010–2012
Electric power steering failure
Led to recall 15V340000.
- PE13003Preliminary evaluation· opened Feb 2013, closed Feb 2014· Engine· model years 2010–2013
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
- EA12009Engineering analysis· opened Dec 2012, closed Jun 2014· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2010–2011
Floor mat interference with accelerator
Led to recall 14E028000.
- EA11009Engineering analysis· opened Jul 2011, closed Jan 2012· Wheels· model years 2010
Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture
Led to recall 11V574000.
- PE11003Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2011, closed Jul 2011· Wheels· model years 2010
Wheel Stud Fracture
Led to recall 11V574000.
- AQ10001Audit query· opened Nov 2010, closed Dec 2015· Other or unspecified· model years 2010
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
- PE10019Preliminary evaluation· opened May 2010, closed Jan 2013· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2010
Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat
NHTSA's own page for the 2020 Ford Fusion has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Fusion reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 18,241 owner complaints, 2 warranty extensions and 5 service campaigns Ford filed, and 46 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (5,130), 2011 (2,788), 2012 (2,516). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Fusion?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name steering (31%), engine (18%), transmission and drivetrain (16%). Ford has filed 2 warranty extensions covering the Fusion, listed on this page.
Which Fusion model years have the most complaints?
2010 (5,130), 2011 (2,788), 2012 (2,516). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Fusion with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Fusion?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2011–2014); equipment and accessories (model years 2013). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Fusion?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 46 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.